Finance when your file has a bit of history.
If your business or directors have CCJs, defaults, late payments or a previous insolvency, mainstream lenders shut the door. We use a specialist tier-2 panel that prices for the risk and still gets the deal done.
Eligibility at a glance
- Min trading
- 6+ months recommended
- Typical deposit
- 20–35%
- Rate from
- 12.4% APR
- Max facility
- Up to £150k typical
- PG required
- Yes — almost always
What actually moves the needle.
What the adverse actually is
Lenders treat 'a satisfied £400 CCJ from 4 years ago' very differently from 'an unsatisfied £25k CCJ from last year'. Honest disclosure up-front saves time and gets sharper offers.
Recovery story
Lenders want to see what changed. New shareholder, new MD, paid HMRC, settled disputed CCJ, came out of CVA — there's almost always a recovery narrative that helps.
Asset quality matters more
On adverse profiles, lenders rely on the asset more heavily. Hard, sellable assets (vans, plant, tractors) are funded; soft assets (IT, furniture) much harder.
Deposit changes everything
A 30% deposit on a £40k van is a different deal from 10%. The deposit absorbs most of the lender's downside risk and unlocks pricing.
Realistic green-lights.
- Director with a 2-year-old satisfied CCJ under £1k, otherwise clean — usually placeable at near-prime rates
- Limited co. that completed a CVA 18+ months ago and has been profitable since — possible with deposit and PG
- Sole trader with a historic default settled 3+ years ago — workable on hard assets with 20%+ deposit
- Phoenix company (new co. after old co. failed) where directors have evidenced recovery — possible on case-by-case
Where it gets harder.
- Active bankruptcy, IVA or DMP — generally not placeable until discharged
- Multiple unsatisfied CCJs against the limited company
- Active winding-up petitions or HMRC enforcement action
- Director disqualifications during the relevant period
Have these ready and we'll move fast.
Reviewed by UK businesses
Sorted in 36 hours
"Bank wanted three weeks just to look at the file. AssetFi had the agreement signed and the digger paid for in 36 hours. Couldn't fault them."
Genuinely no fees
"I'd been stung by brokers before so I asked twice — really, no fees? Confirmed in writing. Got a sharper rate than my bank too. They've now done four vans for me."
Understood our cash flow
"We needed a CBCT scanner but our last accounts had a bad quarter. AssetFi went to specialist healthcare lenders, came back with three options and explained each properly. Brilliant."
Common questions.
Will my application affect my credit file?
Our initial check is a soft search that doesn't show on your file. Only when you accept an offer and proceed to formal underwriting does a hard search take place — so you can shop without damage.
How much higher will my rate be?
It depends on the severity of the adverse. A satisfied CCJ from 3+ years ago might add 1–2% to a near-prime rate. A recent unsatisfied default could add 4–6% or more. Honest disclosure means we go to the right lenders first time and avoid wasting your time.
Can I still get asset finance after a CVA?
Yes — CVAs are workable, especially once you're 12–18 months into the arrangement and trading profitably. You'll need a higher deposit (25%+), a personal guarantee, and a clear recovery narrative.
Do you charge upfront fees for adverse credit applications?
No — we don't charge any upfront, broker or arrangement fees on any application, including adverse credit. We're paid by the lender on completion. If anyone in this market asks for an upfront fee before you've signed an offer, walk away.
See if a deal works for you.
Soft search only. We'll come back inside 24 hours with a real-world view.
Other borrower types